November 21, 2009

  • Allergies And Shopping

    Buttmunch and I were talking today about her allergies.  She has a few.  One she inherited from my mother, I think.  She's allergic to latex and has to be careful if she is bandaged after an injury or surgery.  She also has a lesser allergy to something else in some offbrand bandages that are supposedly latex-free.  Don't believe it.  She went to cover a boo-boo on her belly (the jury is out on just what it was exactly) and within a couple hours she was scratching like crazy.  When she removed the bandage, everywhere the bandage was on her skin was raw and nasty.

    That led us to talking about her most serious allergy.  It's truly scary and we discovered it when she was a teenager.  I remember the doctor telling me that she was allergic to antihistamines in any form.  Now, an antihistamine is normally what they give you for an allergy of any kind.  So, when I asked him what they could give her in case of a severe allergic attack, he looked me straight in the eye and said, *Nothing.*  That scared the crap out of me and has made her very cautious about the things she uses.  Even skin lotions or medical cremes have to be inspected and all ingredients read.

    She told me she had mentioned that allergy to a doctor many years later and he said to her, *You're crazy.  There is no such thing.*  Yeah, right....now there's a doctor who thinks he knows it all.  The doctor in Florida told us that it was extremely rare but it sure wasn't unheard of.  Buttmunch said she never went back to the doctor who told her she was nuts because you just CAN'T be allergic to the medication used to treat allergies.  Yeah, right!

    I went to run up to Walmart to finally trade those jeans for the next size up and AM calls me...ON THE BEAST'S PHONE....!  Yeah, he forgot it.  I never noticed it because he's got a bunch of computer stuff on it.  So I talk to her for a few minutes and tell her (after looking at the clock) that he should make it there in about a half hour or so.  When she asked if he had called me so that I knew where he was, I told her, *No, but I know how long it takes us and even figuring for bad traffic, that should do it.*  She laughed and was comforted since he usually calls her about an hour before he gets there and she was worried.  Later, I found out he was stopped by a rockslide and had to make a detour of about 70 miles.  He was only slightly longer than I had told her he would be so it worked out okay.

    I finally jumped in the truck and headed for Walmart.  Got there and discovered...tada!  I left the damn bag with the jeans in it on the table in the kitchen when I grabbed the phone to talk to AM.  Color my face red.  So, since I wanted to get a couple things, I went in and started checking them out.  I did pick up two new bras, some new socks, new underwear and two pair of pajamas.  One is thermal.    And, no, they are not white nor do they have a drop down drawer section.    They are pink and grey.  I just wanted something warm.  I then found a really cute top that I figured I would wear for Thanksgiving and went ahead and bought me a pair of black jeans.  I picked up a few grocery items to tide us over until Turkey Day and a Bertolli shrimp scamp and fettucini dinner for me.  *BURP*  It was wonderful.  I'll eat what's left for lunch tomorrow, more than likely.

     I had no sound on my computer but I didn't want the Beast to check to see why.  He makes a big production out of everything.  I waited until he left today because, while I was sleeping I got an idea.  So, I grabbed my flashlight and checked.  Sure enough, the guy is obviously color blind.  He had it plugged into the wrong spot.  As soon as I put it in the right one, I had sound.....wonderful sound.  You don't know how much you miss it until you don't have it at all.

    Starting next week, after we take Sheepie back to Atlanta, of course, I have to start my Christmas decorating AND my shopping.  I really need to make a list again since I can't find the original one.  It's somewhere around here, I know but it's FINDING it in time.....LOL.  I remember most of it and will probably be able to finish it off as I go along.

    I'm sitting here feeling overstuffed right now.  That darn shrimp scampi tasted sooooo good to me.  The Beast is not a big fan so it's something I only get when he is gone or when we go out to eat at times.  So I am going to take a little rest and lay back to watch TV.  I also bought the new Star Trek DVD today (it was $19.95 at Walmart) but I am going to wait until tomorrow to watch it.  If I don't like the movies on SyFy it gives me something good to watch. 

    Well, you all have a great day.  Indulge yourself and I hope you have some great plans for Thanksgiving.  Our celebration may be smaller this year but...we will be able to get rid of some of it on Sunday when Tara and her kids get back from Tallahassee.  I'm just sorry she will miss Sheepie.  Oh well, there's always Christmas.

Comments (3)

  • The bandaid allergy is not necessarily a latex allergy. I have the same problem and will actually end up with what looks like a 3rd degree burn where the bandage has been. It's an allergic reaction to the adhesive. When I need a bandaid I use the paper tape and gauze. There's less adhesive on the paper tape, though it will start a reaction over time. I acquired this allergy after my gall bladder surgery when they used surgical tape to close me and then the incision became infected. 

  • The problem is something else because it's not her reaction if she uses the Bandaid brand latex-free bandaids.  Just happens with SOME generics, not even all of them.  

  • It's not latex that I'm allergic to - it's the adhesive - whatever chemical is in it . It looks like 3rd degree burns - and the same with paper tape - although that I can at least use for a few days before I react .

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